After climbing stone steps, observing ancient carvings, and taking a stroll around Agastya Lake, I was left in no doubt that I simply wanted a healthy meal. I wasn’t looking for any fancy restaurant or a fancy menu. All I needed was vegetarian food that would fulfil me and provide me comfort.
Fortunately, the city had several simple eateries, jahavadis, and hotel restaurants, where I got plenty of choices.
A proper North Karnataka lunch at a local khanavali
My most memorable meal came from a local khanavali, a small eating place known for homely regional food. This was where I tried jolada rotti with ennegayi, a spiced brinjal preparation commonly served in North Karnataka.
The rotti was soft, slightly earthy and surprisingly filling. It came with vegetable palya, chutney, dal, curd and a small salad. I enjoyed mixing each piece of rotti with a different side dish rather than eating everything in the same way.
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The meal felt local without being difficult to understand or order. It was also exactly what I needed after spending hours outdoors. Staff at many hotels in Badami can point visitors towards nearby khanavalis serving freshly prepared vegetarian meals.
Geeta Darshini for an easy breakfast in Badami
Before I went out for sightseeing, I had a satisfying breakfast at Geeta Darshini. The restaurant is simple, the service is prompt, and the menu offers several popular South Indian dishes.
I had an idli, which is served with sambar and coconut chutney. The idlis were well cooked, and the sambar on the side makes it a sufficient meal for the day. The other option was dosa, which is nice when you crave something crispy but not too heavy simultaneously.
Vada and tea were also on the menu. Hence, it is a good place for a quick breakfast, as you don’t have to spend a lot of time reading the menu
Hotel Bharat in Badami for familiar comfort food
After a full day of walking, I sometimes preferred a meal that required no second-guessing. Hotel Bharat gave me that comfort with simple vegetarian dishes such as roti, dal, rice, sambar, and vegetable curry.
I chose dal with roti and a mild vegetable dish. The food was warm, straightforward, and easy to enjoy after a tiring day. Curd helped balance the spices, while rice made the meal more filling.
This was not the kind of place I visited for a dramatic food experience. I went because it offered dependable food, comfortable seating and enough choice for a relaxed dinner.
Golden Caves Cuisine for a slower evening meal
On another evening, I ate at Golden Caves Cuisine. It suited me when I wanted to sit down properly instead of stopping at a quick café or snack counter.
I ordered rice, dal, and mixed vegetable curry. The combination was simple, but it worked well because the food arrived warm and the portions were satisfying. I added curd to the meal, which made it feel lighter after a long day.
Travellers choosing between hotels in Badami may find it helpful to check whether their stay has an in-house restaurant or is close to established local dining options.
Tea, Mysore pak, and small snacks around town
While sightseeing, I paid attention to tea shops and sweet vendors. Usually, a cup of tea sufficed as a quick break because snacks kept me going without having to eat a full meal.
The most common sweet I came across was Mysore pak. It is rich, crumbly sweet, but a little is enough. I also tried chiroti, which is a crisp layered dessert. These quick snacks were readily available and helped me taste Karnataka without making an elaborate meal.
The simple meals in Mysuru were the ones I remembered
It was not necessary to have high-class food in Badami for it to strike a chord with me. What stuck out was the jolada rotti along with the ennegayi that I had along with a crispy dosa and dal.
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The different places provided different things to the table. These included a fulfilling lunch, an effortless breakfast, a reassuring dinner, or a quick slice of dessert. All of this added to my experience in Badami.
Having seen the caves, I did not want to indulge in an elaborate dining experience. I only wanted good food that was fresh, and Badami had many places where I could get it.